Sympathy Saturday - Joseph Zimmeth

I've actually run out of unknown people on Funeral Cards, so I will be sprinkling headstones, obits and funeral card notices (mid 1800's) from now on.


This headstone is for my mother's uncle, Joseph Zimmeth. He was the oldest of the Zimmeth children and was born in Iosco county. His marriage record at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in East Tawas, Michigan states that he was baptized in AuSable, Michigan and that the church records were destroyed in the 1911 fire. You may say that Michigan was keeping vital records as early as 1867, but in fact, there are no birth records for many people born before 1900 as well as no death records for a great many either.

Headstone for Joe Zimmeth

If you click on the image, you will see the death date is not filled in. Yes, Uncle Joe is buried there in St. Joseph's Cemetery, East Tawas, Michigan. I presume he bought the stone and had it set when his wife, Mary Quosky Zimmeth died, and that the funeral director failed to take steps to have the date carved. It should read 1957. This is the first time I have ever seen his name as John Joseph rather than Joseph John. Since there is no birth record or baptismal record to fall back on, who can really say?

Here is the obit for Joe.

From Pinconning Journal.

Services Friday Morning for Joseph Zimmeth.

Joseph Zimmeth passed away on Tuesday afternoon of this week, September 17, at the home of his brother, Charles Zimmeth who resides on South Van Etten street in Pinconning.  He had been in poor health for over a year.  Mr. Zimmeth was 84 years of age, born April 14, 1873, in East Tawas.

Funeral services will be held Friday morning at 9:00 o'clock from St. Agnes Church with Rev. Fr. Casimer Szyper officiating.  Burial will take place in St. Joseph cemetery in East Tawas.  The body is at the Lee Funeral Home.

Copyright 2010, ACK for Gene Notes